Did you know every state in the U.S. has at least one observatory? During the lesson, scholars research the cost of building and maintaining an observatory. They must present their information in a proposal to build a new observatory, and the class decides which proposals to fund with limited resources.

Concepts

astronomers, astronomy

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Visit an observatory so pupils can better connect to the material
• Have an astronomer speak to the class at the end of the lesson

 

Classroom Considerations

• Requires prior knowledge of the electromagnetic spectrum, radiation, observatories, and telescopes

Pros

• Lesson follows a 5E format
• Includes a scoring rubric for easier grading

Cons

• None

Common Core

RST.9-10.1 RST.9-10.2 RST.9-10.4 RST.9-10.5 RST.9-10.6 RST.9-10.7 RST.9-10.8 RST.9-10.9 RST.11-12.1 RST.11-12.2 RST.11-12.4 RST.11-12.5 RST.11-12.6 RST.11-12.7 RST.11-12.8 RST.11-12.9